Index file for photographic negatives with built-in viewer



y ,1969 J. McSAIZELET 3,442,039

INDEX FILE FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC NE'GATIVES WITH BUILT-IN VIEWER Filed Aug. 7, 1967 Z INVENTOR Jean MfcHeL ja/ze Let B3 eu-M, 5% 29 PM A-Eiuneg;

United States Patent 7 Int. Cl. G09f 13/10, 13/20; A47b 47/02 US. Cl. 40-106.1 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An index file cabinet structure for transparencies such as photographic and radiological negatives and diapositives of large format, and the like comprises a rectangular cabinet with a hinged lid, the interior of the cabinet being divided by parallel partitions into compartments for selected filing of the transparencies.

The cabinet is provided with a built-in viewing means which includes a chamber containing a light source in front of which is located a translucent plate to which the transparencies are attached for viewing. In one embodiment, the chamber, light source and translucent plate are located at the front of the cabinet. In another embodiment, these elements are incorporated in the lid structure.

Switch means actuated by the lid are provided for turning the light source on and off, the light source being turned on when the lid is opened, and turned off when the lid is closed.

The present invention relates to index files and more particularly to files for storing transparencies such as photographic negatives, diapositives and the like of large format and which feature a built-in illuminated translucent plate on which the transparencies can be placed for viewing.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of switch means operated automatically as one raises the lid which covers the compartmented interior of the cabinet in which the transparencies are filed to illuminate the plate.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of an inclined viewing plate located at the front of the cabinet.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of an viewing plate in the lid structure itself, the plate being hidden from view when the lid is closed.

The foregoing as well as other features and advantages of the improved file cabinet structure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of two different embodiments thereof and from the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in side section of one embodiment wherein the translucent viewing plate is located at the front of the file cabinet; and

FIG. 2 is also a side section of a second embodiment wherein the translucent viewing plate is located at the underside of the lid structure.

With reference now to FIG. 1, the file cabinet is seen to be a rectangular structure constituted by a front wall In, rear wall 1b, bottom wall 1c and side walls 1d. The interior of the cabinet is divided off into a plurality of storage compartments 2 by means of vertical partitions 3 which are parallel to each other and extend between the side walls 1d. In these compartments are selectively filed the transparencies which are to be viewed. The cabinet is provided with a lid 4 hinged at 5 to the rear wall 11) so that the lid can be swung about a horizontal axis between its open and closed position.

In a chamber 6 established between the front wall 1a of the cabinet, extensions of its side walls 1d and a front translucent glass plate 7 are located one or more tubular electric lamps 8 which are connected by way of a circuit to a source of power such as the standard current outlet provided in offices, homes and the like. Included in this circuit is a control switch having a set of contacts 9 mounted on wall 1a, these contacts being spring biased to a closed position to complete the electric circuit to lamps 8 whenever lid 4 is raised, and including an actuating rod 10 engageable with the lid when the latter is closed to effect a separation of contacts 9 thus to interrupt the energizing circuit for the lamps.

The photographic negatives, radiological negatives, photographic reductions of radiological negatives, or diapositives of large format, cards, or other transparencies are arranged selectively within the compartments 2, these transparencies being advantageously placed within paper envelopes serving as information aids for filing.

By way of an example, a filing cabinet in accordance with the construction illustrated in FIG. 1 contained two parallel rows of five compartments, mm. long, 50 mm. wide, and 100 mm. high; the total height without the lid being 135 mm. It is thus possible to store negatives of a size of 100 mm. :by mm. in such a cabinet, which are to be selectively placed in front of viewing plate 7, the latter being inclined at an angle of about 22 to facilitate viewing. To support the negatives or other transparencies on plate 7, conventional clips, not shown, or any other suitable fastening means, may be utilized.

FIG. 2 illustrates a modified construction wherein the translucent viewing plate is built into the lid structure of the filing cabinet. The cabinet structure is similar to that depicted in FIG. 1 in that it is rectangular, and has front, rear, bottom and side walls 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d, respectively. The vertically arranged, parallel partitions 3' extend between the side walls 1c to establish the plurality of compartments 2.

The lid structure 4 which is hinged at 5 to the rear wall 1b for swinging movement about a horizontal axis to open and close the cabinet, includes a chamber 11, one wall of which is constituted by a translucent viewing plate 12, and disposed within this chamber are one or more tubular lamps 8' which are arranged to be energized in a manner similar to lamps 8 in the embodiment of FIG. 1. The energizing circuit for the lamps may also include a switching means similar to that shown in FIG. 1 so that as the lid 4' is opened, the lamps come on, and when the lid is closed, the lamps go out. Unlike the embodiment of FIG. 1 wherein the viewing plate 7 is always exposed, the viewing plate 12 in the FIG. 2. embodiment is located at the inner side of the lid and hence is hidden from sight when the lid is closed. Conventional clips, not shown, may be used to fasten one or more transparencies to the viewing plate 12, this viewing plate being langer than the one illustrated in FIG. 1 since it extends from the front to the rear of the cabinet.

I claim:

1. A file cabinet structure for transparencies such as photographic and radiological negatives, diapositives and the like which comprises front, rear, bottom and side walls, a plurality of parallel spaced vertical partitions extending between said walls to establish a plurality of [filing compartments for the transparencies, a lid structure for the cabinet and a built-in transparency viewing means which comprises a chamber containing a light source in front of which is disposed a translucent plate on which one or more selected transparencies taken from the cabinet are placed for viewing, and switch means in the energizing circuit for said light source, said switch means being actuated by said lid to energize the light source when said lid is opened and to deenergize the light source when said lid is closed.

3 4 2. A file cabinet structure as defined in claim 1 References Cited wherein said built-in transparency viewing means is 10- UNITED STATES PATENTS cated at the front of sald cabinet structure.

3. A file cabinet structure as defined in claim 2 wherein 2,821,037 1/1958 Westphal 40-1061 X said translucent viewing plate is included rearwardly. 2,882,628 4/1959 Fowle 40-4061 4. A file cabinet structure as defined in claim 1 wherein 0 3,161,105 12/1964 Oflensend 40-1061 X said built-in transparency viewing means is incorporated within said lid structure, the translucent viewing plate being located at the inner side of the lid so as to be hidden from view and protected when the lid occupies its closed {0 position. 40-63; 312223, 183

CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner.

Patent No .0 39

Dated Hay 1969 Inventor Ob) JEAN MICHEL SAIZELET It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

r Claim 3, second line, the word "included" is used, whereas it should be inclined SIGNED AN'U SEALED NOV181969 (SEAL) .Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Ir.

Attesting Officer WILLIAM E. SClHUYLER, J'R. Oomissionar of Pat ents 

